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of their museum experience? Will it be
educational, or just a fun day outside
of the classroom?
Everyday Life
Finding connections between learn-
ing and students' lives can enhance
the learning experience. I began
thinking of ways that my high-school
students relate to one another.
Although social media is very popu-
lar, a simple deck of playing cards can
bring a group of students together
like nothing else. Playing cards come
in a variety of formats and can be
found just about anywhere. Sou-
venir shops, major cities, compa-
nies, and museums will often have
their own special editions. Then it
hit me: "What if students created
a deck of cards that reflected the
museum we visited?"
Planning Ahead
After thinking through all the
logistics of creating a deck of
cards, I realized that I needed a
plan. Organization of students
into teams, assessment tools, and
clear instructions would all be
necessary. As I planned the field
trip, I developed several steps to
make it happen.
Before the Field Trip
• Divide students into equal
groups. (I had about one hun
-
dred students, so it worked out
to be groups of about twenty-
five.) Assign each group a color.
(Our decks would be red, blue,
black, and green.)
• Create a checklist to ensure that each
card is being made by the student
assigned to it. (Each student was
responsible for about two cards.)
• Create a template for each of the
fifty-two cards in a deck, with two
Jokers, just for fun.
• Print the cards on white card-
stock and then cut and rubber-
band the groups by deck. Print
an extra deck or two for lost or
damaged cards. During the class
period prior to the field trip,
explain the project to students.
• Distribute the cards to students
and have them put them in a
labeled baggie. Also in the baggie:
pencil, eraser, group-color marker.
• Collect and store the baggies to
easily distribute at the museum.
A simple deck of pla ing
cards can bring a group
of students together like
nothing else.
28 MAY 2018 SchoolArts
Some of the many playing cards inspired by a high-school visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.